After both teams completed their substitutions, the game resumed with renewed intensity.
The instructions Yang Yang had relayed were quickly put into action by the Ajax players, who began to regain their composure after the earlier onslaught. They tightened their focus, determined to execute the game plan with precision.
Ajax then made a second substitution. Tomas Galásek replaced Steven Pienaar, with Captain Rafael van der Vaart shifting to the left wing. This change allowed Galásek and Nigel de Jong to form a double pivot in the midfield, reinforcing the defensive structure.
Though Van der Vaart had lost some of his pace due to a serious injury, his football intelligence and technical skills remained exceptional. After the first-leg match against Arsenal, he had approached Ronald Koeman, promising to give his all for the team. Koeman, in turn, had pledged to trust him and grant him more freedom on the pitch.
Now, with Pienaar off and Van der Vaart staying on, the message was clear to everyone on the field: solidify the defense and strike quickly on the counterattack.
Ronald Koeman's career as a player had been illustrious, known for being one of the most goal-scoring defenders in history. This background gave him a unique perspective on the game, particularly in how to balance attack and defense. As a coach, he had developed a strong tactical identity, one that blended his defensive expertise with a modern approach to football.
Despite facing skepticism from the outside world, particularly during moments of crisis, Koeman had proven his capabilities time and again. Though young by coaching standards and still building his experience, his success in guiding Ajax to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for two consecutive seasons was a testament to his skill.
For Yang Yang, his journey from Almere to Ajax, from the youth team to the first team, had been transformative. Each step had broadened his perspective, exposing him to the vast complexities of professional football and deepening his understanding of the game. Under Koeman's guidance, Yang Yang had absorbed a wealth of technical and tactical knowledge, which not only enhanced his performance on the pitch but also sharpened his footballing intellect. This development was invaluable for his future.
The other players on Ajax's first team had similarly benefited from Koeman's tutelage. So, when Koeman signaled from the sidelines for the team to tighten their defense and increase their pressing on Real Madrid, every player understood their role with clarity.
A lone effort to press might achieve little, but a collective effort, with ten players moving in unison, could be overwhelming.
Even a team as formidable as Real Madrid found themselves struggling under Ajax's renewed pressure in the latter stages of the second half. Their passing grew erratic, and with each mistake, Ajax found opportunities to launch dangerous counterattacks.
Ajax was no longer the passive side that had been dominated earlier. They were now executing a well-coordinated strategy, showing resilience and tactical awareness. The match was entering its final phase, and Ajax was intent on seizing any chance to turn the tide.
...
...
After both teams completed their substitutions, the game resumed with a renewed sense of urgency. Yang Yang, now on the pitch, immediately began pressing high up the field, determined to disrupt Real Madrid's flow. As soon as Raúl Bravo received the ball, Yang Yang was there, pressuring him, forcing a hurried pass.
He could feel the shift in momentum. The two substitutions had reinvigorated Ajax, and the players were now executing their pressing game with renewed energy. Real Madrid, despite their star power, began to falter under the relentless pressure, making uncharacteristic passing errors that gave Ajax opportunities to counterattack.
Yet, Yang Yang knew that this newfound dominance could be deceptive. Something felt off, but in the heat of the game, he couldn't fully grasp what it was. Instead, he focused on his role, running tirelessly and positioning himself to exploit any weakness in Real Madrid's defense.
Real Madrid's superstars were not tracking back. With Guti replaced by Borja Fernández, only Beckham and Borja were left to hold the midfield, with Raúl occasionally dropping deep to help out. It wasn't enough.
Every time Ajax won the ball, Yang Yang sprinted forward, ready to exploit the gaps left by Real Madrid's full-backs. But despite his efforts, his teammates either missed him or the final pass lacked the necessary precision. Frustration mounted as time ticked away.
The weight of their earlier collapse hung over the Ajax players like a dark cloud. The first half's success had blinded them, and they had paid the price with a devastating 4-1 scoreline. But now, with time running out, they were determined to salvage some pride, to claw back a goal and keep their faint hopes alive.
Yang Yang never stopped running, believing that his moment would come. He trusted that when it did, he would deliver.
In the 86th minute, Ajax launched a swift counterattack down the left. Van der Vaart, now playing on the wing, found himself in the penalty area as Maxwell delivered a pinpoint cross. The Ajax captain rose to meet it, but his header was straight at Casillas, who saved comfortably.
Van der Vaart roared in frustration, knowing that a goal there could have changed everything. Yet, he didn't let the miss dampen his spirits. He turned and gave Maxwell a thumbs-up, acknowledging the quality of the cross.
Yang Yang, watching from the right flank, let out a sigh of disappointment but quickly refocused. He sprinted back into position, ready for the next chance.
Real Madrid quickly launched the ball forward, but Ajax's defense, led by Escudé, won the aerial duel against Ronaldo, and the ball fell back to Ajax's control.
The game was a frantic back-and-forth battle. Real Madrid's 4-2-3-1 formation seemed to give them control of the midfield, but in reality, only Beckham, Borja, and Raúl were actively pressing. Zidane and Figo stayed wide, waiting for opportunities to exploit. This left Ajax with a numerical advantage in the midfield, especially when Yang Yang and Van der Vaart dropped back to help.
With numbers in their favor, Ajax won possession again. Sneijder, quick to react, sent a perfectly weighted ball to the right, where Yang Yang had already begun his run.
Yang Yang accelerated, the ball perfectly placed ahead of him by Sneijder. He knew what he had to do—get past Raúl Bravo and create a chance for Ibrahimović.
Bravo, who had been on the pitch for over 80 minutes, was now faced with a fresh Yang Yang. This was their first direct confrontation, and Bravo knew Yang Yang's reputation well. Cautiously, he began to backpedal, wary of the young winger's skill.
But Yang Yang had no intention of easing into the play. He pushed forward with pace, closing the distance between himself and Bravo rapidly. Sensing Bravo's hesitation, Yang Yang feinted to the outside, causing the defender to commit. In an instant, Yang Yang shifted his weight, cutting inside with a sharp burst of speed.
Bravo, caught off-balance, tried to recover, but it was too late. He felt a sharp pain in his left leg as he tried to change direction, and before he knew it, he was on the ground, watching helplessly as Yang Yang surged past him.
Yang Yang didn't look back. He drove into the penalty area, his eyes scanning for Ibrahimović. Just as Borja moved to close him down, Yang Yang curled a precise cross into the box.
Ibrahimović, who had anticipated the play, powered his way in front of Mejía. The Swedish striker used his chest to control the ball, expertly bringing it down into his path. Mejía tried desperately to block him, but Ibrahimović's strength was too much. With a swift motion, he struck the ball low and hard with his right foot.
Casillas reacted instantly, diving to his right, but the shot was perfectly placed into the bottom left corner. The net rippled as the ball crossed the line.
4-2!
Ibrahimović let out a triumphant roar, standing tall with his fists clenched. Yang Yang, who had followed the play, leapt onto Ibrahimović's back, but instead of celebrating, he shouted into his ear, "There's still time! We still have a chance!"
Yang Yang could feel it—a strong, unexplainable hunch that if they continued at this pace, another goal was within reach.
Ibrahimović, spurred by Yang Yang's words, snapped back to focus. Yang Yang jumped down and rushed to retrieve the ball, placing it in the center circle as quickly as possible.
But before Real Madrid could restart, the referee's whistle blew. Yang Yang, poised for the next play, noticed the commotion. Raúl Bravo, the man he had just beaten, was still down, clutching his left leg in visible pain. The team doctor and stretcher were waved onto the pitch.
Yang Yang's heart sank as he realized what had happened. The injury wasn't just a blow to Real Madrid; it was a blow to Ajax's momentum. They had just regained a glimmer of hope, and now, with the stoppage, that precious time was slipping away.
He wiped the sweat from his face, frustration mounting. It was such a crucial moment—why did it have to end like this? Was it because of him?
The match hung in the balance, and Yang Yang could only watch as the seconds ticked away.
...
...
Raúl Bravo's injury wasn't as severe as it initially appeared. The Real Madrid team doctor quickly escorted him to the sidelines, and Queiroz, having assessed the situation, wasted no time in substituting him with Francisco Pavón. However, by the time Pavón entered the game, the match had already entered stoppage time.
Pavón, once a highly touted central defender, had risen to prominence not so much for his performances on the pitch but as the embodiment of Real Madrid's "Zidane y Pavones" policy under President Florentino Pérez. However, with the departure of coach Vicente del Bosque and Pavón's inconsistent form, his status had diminished, and Queiroz had opted for Mejía over him in this crucial match.
With Pavón on the field, the game resumed, but the rhythm Ajax had built was gone. The intense momentum they had mustered earlier had dissipated, and they were unable to reclaim the energy that had briefly reignited their hopes.
The final whistle blew, sealing a 4-2 victory for Real Madrid. In just thirty minutes, the Galácticos had unleashed a devastating offensive, giving themselves a strong advantage heading into the second leg.
As the whistle echoed through the Bernabéu, Yang Yang removed his jacket and wiped his face repeatedly, trying to find something to occupy himself with. He was drenched in sweat, but the physical discomfort was secondary to the frustration churning inside him. He needed a distraction, something to keep his mind from dwelling on the defeat.
The end of the first half had been a stark contrast, filled with hope and excitement. Now, as the match concluded, the Ajax players looked like wilted flowers, their heads hung low in defeat. Many walked off the pitch with the dejection of a team that had been outclassed, their spirits crushed.
Yang Yang was no exception.
Despite coming off the bench late in the game, theoretically absolving him of responsibility for the loss, he couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment. In fact, he had played well, and his dribble that injured Raúl Bravo would likely become a talking point in the media. But that provided little solace.
Yang Yang believed he could have done more. A 4-2 loss felt definitive, but a 4-3 scoreline would have kept Ajax's hopes alive, however slim they might be. That single goal could have made all the difference.
But the game was over, and the opportunity had slipped through their fingers.
"Don't hang your head, you did well," Ronald Koeman said as he approached Yang Yang.
Yang Yang walked over to shake hands with the coach, but he couldn't find the words to respond. His disappointment was too heavy.
"Go on," Koeman added, giving Yang Yang a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
It was then that Yang Yang was reminded of his age—just 17, still in the process of growing, both physically and mentally. Yet, on the field, he carried himself with a maturity beyond his years, displaying a calm and composed demeanor that belied his youth.
After passing Koeman, Yang Yang headed toward the players' tunnel. The Bernabéu Stadium, a place of triumph for Real Madrid, felt oppressive to him. He had looked forward to this match, especially the chance to face Ronaldo. He had even planned to ask for an autograph and a photo, no matter the outcome of the game. But now, as he made his way off the pitch, all those thoughts seemed distant and irrelevant.
The 4-2 defeat had drained him, leaving him with no desire to stay any longer in this place of bitter disappointment.
But just as he was about to step into the tunnel, a voice called out from the opposite coaching area.
"Hey, number ninety-nine!"
Yang Yang looked up, startled, and saw Ronaldo approaching with his signature smile, his trademark rabbit teeth on display.
Yang Yang's heart skipped a beat. The idol he had admired from afar was now standing right in front of him. He felt the same nervous excitement he had experienced the first time he met Van Basten.
"Yang? Your name is Yang?" Ronaldo asked, still smiling.
Yang Yang nodded, words tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop them. "I… I'm your fan. Your biggest fan."
The moment the words left his lips, Yang Yang felt like kicking himself. Hadn't he just decided he wouldn't approach Ronaldo? Yet here he was, starstruck and fumbling over his words. How embarrassing!
Ronaldo chuckled, clearly amused. "I've read about you in the papers. They're calling you the second Ronaldo."
"No, no, no," Yang Yang shook his head vigorously. "I… I'm nowhere near that level."
"But you're only seventeen," Ronaldo said, encouragingly. "I saw that step-over dribble you did. It's not exactly like mine—it's faster, with a bigger swing, but it's really convincing. Did you come up with it yourself?"
Yang Yang swallowed hard. He had always been honest, but now he found himself unable to admit the truth. How could he explain that the technique was taught to him by an artificial intelligence named Zax in something called the Dream Training System? Ronaldo would probably walk away, thinking Yang Yang was out of his mind.
"Uh, yeah, I kind of just figured it out," Yang Yang replied, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks.
He wasn't a good liar, and the blush on his face made it obvious. But Ronaldo mistook it for shyness and found it endearing—just a young, bashful fan in awe of his idol.
"Excellent. It's better than mine, you know," Ronaldo said, patting Yang Yang on the shoulder. "My version can lead to injuries if you're not careful, but what you've come up with is safer."
"Really?"
"Trust me, I've been doing this for years," Ronaldo said with a grin. "But remember, don't worry about being the next Ronaldo or what others say. Just be yourself. Don't live in anyone's shadow, okay?"
Yang Yang nodded earnestly, feeling the sincerity in Ronaldo's advice. This wasn't just an idol speaking to a fan—it was a senior player offering genuine guidance to someone he saw potential in.
"Then, let's leave it at that," Ronaldo said, still smiling.
He had scored twice in the game and was in high spirits.
"Wait!" Yang Yang called out just as Ronaldo was about to walk away.
"Something else?"
Yang Yang smiled sheepishly and pointed to his jersey. "Can we exchange jerseys?"
"Of course," Ronaldo agreed without hesitation, pulling off his shirt.
"And could you sign it? And maybe we could take a picture together?"
"Sure thing," Ronaldo said with a laugh.
Yang Yang quickly called over Vermaelen, who had sat on the bench for the entire match. The two players exchanged jerseys, and Vermaelen snapped a photo of Yang Yang and Ronaldo together.
Just as they were wrapping up, Beckham happened to walk by on his way back to the locker room. Seeing Ronaldo and Yang Yang, he joined the conversation, complimenting Yang Yang on the cross he had delivered to Ibrahimović. The two then chatted briefly about the art of crossing, with Yang Yang admitting he had studied Beckham's games at Manchester United.
Beckham, pleased with the compliment, shared some of his training experiences with Yang Yang, emphasizing the importance of consistency and practice. Even as one of the world's best, he explained, he never slacked off in his training.
But Ronaldo, ever the natural talent, couldn't resist a light-hearted jab. Hard training wasn't his style, yet his extraordinary gifts had carried him to the top of the football world.
Their conversation quickly drew the attention of Raúl, Figo, Zidane, and Guti, who all joined in, turning it into an impromptu gathering of Real Madrid's biggest stars. The scene also caught the eye of media reporters nearby, who eagerly snapped photos.
By the time Yang Yang finally made his way to the tunnel, he had collected jerseys from almost all of Real Madrid's stars, except for Roberto Carlos. He planned to wash and preserve each one, keeping them as cherished mementos.
Vermaelen, who had taken the photos, also managed to get a few autographs and pictures for himself. The other Ajax players, hearing about Yang Yang's haul, couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Some had wanted to approach the Real Madrid players for a jersey swap but didn't have the nerve. Now, seeing Yang Yang's success, they couldn't help but feel a bit sour.
"I don't care about the rest, but you've got to give me Ronaldo's," Ibrahimović declared, trying to intimidate Yang Yang.
"I want Zidane's. Name your price," another teammate chimed in.
"You're a right-winger; keep Figo's, but give me Raúl's," someone else pleaded.
"I'll take Guti's," another added.
"Salgado's mine—hand it over," another demanded.
"Beckham, I'm a Beckham fan!" yet another voice joined in.
Even Stekelenburg, the substitute goalkeeper, came forward, eyeing Casillas' number one jersey.
Despite their clamoring, Yang Yang simply placed all the jerseys in his duffel bag, slung it over his shoulder, and sat down in front of his locker, making it clear he wasn't giving any away.
Seeing his determination, the others backed off, though not without grumbling. Ibrahimović, however, took it a step further, lecturing the group on how they should be reflecting on their loss instead of focusing on collecting jerseys. A few, like Trabelsi, De Jong, and Sneijder, nodded in agreement, while Van der Vaart voiced his support.
It seemed they were willing to do anything for a jersey, even resorting to both hard and soft tactics.
Fortunately, Yang Yang wasn't easily swayed. He knew it was normal to exchange jerseys after a game, win or lose. Besides, these weren't just any jerseys—they belonged to the stars of Real Madrid.
"There's a saying in my country that describes you all," Yang Yang finally said.
"What's that?" someone asked.
"Sour grapes."
Laughter erupted in the locker room at Yang Yang's remark.
In that moment, the disappointment of the 4-2 loss to Real Madrid was lifted, replaced by the camaraderie and banter that made the team feel like a family again.